A better understanding of defences

Marc Veldhoen

Institut de Medicina Molecular (IMM), Portugal

White blood cells are part of the body’s immune system to fight infection and other diseases. Lymphocytes (B cells and T cells) are types of white blood cells. B-lymphocytes make the antibodies that protect us from infection. Vaccines train the memory of these cells to protect us against future pathogens. T-lymphocytes help control immune responses. These cells are found in the bloodstream and travel through it to the tissues that need them.

Recently, scientists have observed lymphocytes residing in tissues that do not circulate through the blood. The presence of these tissue cells represents an enormous potential for protection and their mechanisms of action are still unknown.

The project aims to better understand how these lymphocytes function and contribute to the immune response.

Enhancing tissue resident immunity

€497,158